President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, played a decisive role in persuading him to become the running mate of the late President John Evans Atta Mills—a move that would eventually lead to Mahama’s rise to the presidency.

Mr Mahama made the revelation during a courtesy visit by the Asantehene to the Jubilee House on Monday, 2 June. Reflecting on events leading up to the 2008 elections, Mahama said he initially declined several approaches from Prof Mills and other senior figures within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to serve as vice-presidential candidate.

“Professor Mills sent Barfuor-Adjei Barfi-Bonye and a delegation to inform me he wanted me to be his running mate. But at the time, I had made up my mind to leave politics,” Mr Mahama said.

Despite additional efforts by senior party members including Ato Ahwoi, Totobi Quakyi, and Kwamena Ahwoi, Mahama remained reluctant.

It was a personal appeal from the Asantehene that finally shifted his stance.

“One day, I was in Accra and got a call saying Otumfuo wanted to see me in Kumasi. Who was I to say no?” he recalled.

During their meeting, the Asantehene reportedly expressed strong disapproval of Mahama’s refusal to answer what he described as a national call to service.

“He said, ‘Are you the one Professor Mills asked to be his vice, and you declined? When your country calls you, you can’t refuse’,” Mahama narrated.

Otumfuo drew a parallel with his own life, recalling how he left a comfortable life in London to take up the mantle of Asantehene when duty called.

Before leaving for a trip to South Africa to meet Prof Mills, the Asantehene asked Mahama to reconsider his decision—and to provide a firm response upon his return.

Eventually, Mahama agreed, but not without reservations.

“When he came back to Accra, I told him I had made up my mind. But I said, ‘Tell Professor Mills I’ll do it for only one term.’ And Otumfuo said, ‘Even if it is one day, I’ll accept

Source:TheDotNews